Mechanics of damage and constitutive relationships for high-strength concrete in triaxial compression

A constitutive relationship for high-strength concrete (6 to 15 ksi) is developed based on the continuum damage mechanics. The bounding surface concept was employed in the formulations of the theoretical model. A comprehensive experimental program was undertaken in order to establish a database for high-strength concrete under triaxial compression. The stress-strain response of high-strength concrete subjected to triaxial compression was acquired through laboratory experiments. The testing program included three strength categories-6, 10, and 15 ksi (42, 70, and 105 MPa) concretes. The confining pressures (cr,) employed in the experiments ranged from 1.2 to 12 ksi (8.3-82 MPa). A series of uniaxial tension and compression tests were performed in order to develop the necessary data for the establishment of the failure criterion. Comparison of the stress-strain results indicated good agreement between the theoretical model and the experimental data.